The 'Windy City' may not at first glance seem like a destination that caters well to little ones. But families on holiday in Chicago will find there are more than enough attractions and activities to keep kids busy.On clear days, enjoy the panoramic views over the city from atop the iconic Sears Tower (now officially called Willis Tower), or the Hancock Observatory. Enjoy a stroll through Lincoln Park or the Chicago Botanic Gardens if the sun is out. When it's really hot, head to the CoCo Key Water Resort where children can splash around for hours in the massive water park. The Navy Pier is a great place to walk along the docks and enjoy the spectacular views from the Ferris wheel and funfair rides. For larger scale amusement park fun the renowned Six Flags Great America is on hand.In inclement weather, unfortunately common in Chicago, parents should consider visiting one of the high-quality indoor playgrounds in the city. There are also several wonderful museums geared specifically towards children, like the Chicago Children's Museum. With so many attractions on offer and plenty more around every corner, children on holiday in Chicago will be just as enchanted with this city as their parents.
Located on Lake Michigan, the Adler is America's oldest planetarium, and boasts two full-size planetarium theatres. Visitors and locals alike have marvelled at the night sky in the historic Sky Theatre since 1930. It now feature the all-digital StarRider Theatre which is the first of its kind in the world and affords a virtual outer space experience in its 55-foot (17m) wide and three-storey high area. The Adler is also home to numerous exhibits including antique astronomical instruments dating back to 12th-century Persia as well as fun interactive displays. The Adler hosts many special lectures and events and a visit is an absolute must for star-gazers. It is a good family attraction in Chicago as the shows enchant all age groups and much of the programme is carefully designed for children.
Address : 1300 S Lake Shore Drive
Website : www.adlerplanetarium.org
Telephone : (312) 922 7827
Opening times : Open daily 9.30-4pm.
Admission : $12 adult, $8 children, other package deals available
The Chicago Children's Museum is a must for kids of all ages. Located on Navy Pier, the museum offers three storeys of interactive exhibits with plenty of hands-on fun. The main attraction at the museum is the three-storey tall replica of an 1850s Schooner, which is a huge climbing course. The 'Inventing Lab', 'Waterways', and Dinosaur attractions are also highly popular with the little ones. Kids can play in anything from tree houses to model skyscrapers and furniture forts, and there are endless toys to tinker with. Older kids will enjoy the organised craft activities and building workstations. Exhibitions and activities are frequently changed to keep everything new and exciting for regular visitors.
Address : 700 East Grand Avenue
Website : www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org
Telephone : (312) 527 1000
Opening times : Open daily 10am-5pm, closes 8pm on Thursdays.
Admission : $15 for adults and children over one. Concessions available.
Chicago's wildly popular Field Museum of Natural History in Lake Shore Drive is home to 'Sue', the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil ever found. The dinosaur came to rest here after being unearthed in South Dakota when the museum bought her remains for more than $8 million. Sue is just one of the draws to the museum. It offers other marvels like getting a bug's eye view in an underground adventure; descending into an Egyptian tomb; watching a glowing lava flow; and getting up close and personal with the man-eating lions of Tsavo. The museum specialises in interactive and diorama-type exhibits across its nine acres of exhibition space, and is a must-visit for families on holiday in Chicago.
Address : 1400 S. Lakeshore Drive
Website : fieldmuseum.org
Telephone : (312) 922 9410
Opening times : 9am-5pm daily, last admission 4pm.
Admission : $24 adults, $17 children 3-11. Various ticket packages and concessions are available.
Lincoln Park, beginning at North Avenue and following the shore of Lake Michigan northwards, is Chicago's largest park. It contains many things to see and do, such as bathing beaches, a botanical conservatory, a golf course, grassy meadows, formal gardens, and sports fields. Pride of place is held by the standing statue of Abraham Lincoln, sculpted by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. His sitting Lincoln is in Chicago's other famous green lung, Grant Park. The most popular attraction within the park is the Lincoln Park Zoo, which not only houses hundreds of exotic animals, but offers experiences like paddle boat rides, a virtual safari trip, and the Endangered Species Carousel with 48 artisan-crafted wooden animals that accommodates 50 riders at a time.
Website : www.lpzoo.com
Opening times : Opening times vary according to season, but the zoo is open every day of the year.
Admission : Free.
One of Chicago's best known attractions, the Shedd, opened in 1930, remains one of the world's largest indoor aquariums. The octagonal marble building houses more than 8,000 river, lake, and sea creatures. The main attraction is the Caribbean Coral Reef exhibit and other marine habitat exhibits like a recreation of the Amazon basin and a 'Seahorse Symphony'. Animals in the Shedd include otters, penguins, whales, sharks, sea turtles and much more. The aquarium also features an indoor saltwater Oceanarium housing marine mammals, where dolphin shows are scheduled daily.
Address : 1200 South Lake Shore Drive
Website : www.sheddaquarium.org
Telephone : (312) 939 2438
Opening times : Hours vary by season; generally 9am-6pm. Check website for detailed calendar.
Admission : General admission: $40 (adults), $20 (children aged 3-11). Special deals are available on the official website.
Top of the list of attractions for families on holiday in Chicago is the Six Flags Great America. Featuring some of the country's most exciting theme park rides, such as the Dark Knight Coaster, Bedrock Boulder Roller, and the Condor, the Six Flags Great America Park is a great way to spend the day. The kids will love meeting their favourite comic book superheroes and cartoon characters. You can also cool off on a hot day with the rides at Hurricane Harbour, the attached water park. The amusement park can easily occupy the whole family for a day, with numerous restaurants and snack bars for refreshments and some live entertainment on offer.
Address : 542 N. Route 21, Gurnee
Website : www.sixflags.com
Telephone : (847) 249 1776
Opening times : The park is seasonal, and the water park has its own schedule: check the calendar on the website for details.
Admission : $75 general admission; $45 child under 48 inches. Discounted tickets available via the website.
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